The Canadian Obesity Network (CON-RCO) works to bridge key knowledge gaps so that parents, educators, policy makers and health professionals can make decisions based on scientifically rigorous evidence, and not unsubstantiated beliefs.

To do this, more high-quality obesity research urgently needs to be done in Canada. Lessons learned from current and future research also need to get in the hands of the people who need it most.

That’s why we’ve recently launched the Fund for Obesity Collaboration and Unified Strategies (FOCUS) initiative. Our goal is to leverage resources and expertise from Canadian leaders in research, business and the public sector to raise a minimum of $1.5 million each year toward funding meaningful research, education and outreach initiatives to fill in these knowledge gaps.

In short, we want health professionals, policy makers, teachers, employers and moms and dads to have the best chances for success in preventing or dealing with excess weight.